Knitting machine and method of knitting



Sept 18, 195.6 P. w. BRlsTow 2,763,144

KNITTING MACHINE AND METHOD oF KNITTING Filed Aug. 11, 1951 11sheets-sheet 1 la VII l l w Q "III ATTORNEYS.

Sept. 18, 1956 P. w. BRIS-row 2,763,144

KNITTING MACHINE AND METHOD QF KNITTING Filed Aug. 1l, 1951 v llSheets-Sheet 2 ATTORNEYS.

Sept. 18, 1956 I P. w.'BR|sTow 2,753,144

KNITTING MACHINE AND METHOD OF KNITTING V Filed Aug. 1l, 1951 1lSheets-Sheet 5 /A/Q//A//af Lav M ArroRNEY.

Sept. 18,. 1956 P. w. BRlsTow 2,753,144

K KNITTING MACHINE AND METHOD OF KNTTING Filed Aug. 11, 1951 11Sheets-Sheet 4 BY ,v ATTORNEYS SePf- 18, 1956` P; w. BRxsTow 2,763,144

KNITTING MACHINE AND METHOD oF KNITTING Filed Aug. 11, 1951 l1Sheets-Sheet 5 i ilnr r r l e "Il" l n WY@ ATTORNEYS.

Sept. 18, 1956 P. w. BRlsTow KNITTING MACHINE AND METHOD OF' KNITTINGFiled Aug. 11, 1951 1l Sheets-Sheet 6 Sept. 18, 1956 P. w. BRlsTow2,763,144

KNITTING MACHINE AND METHOD OF KNITTING Filed Aug. 11, 1951 11Sheets-Sheet 7 ATTORNEYS.

Sept. 18, 1956 P. w. BRlsTow KNITTING MACHINE AND METHOD 0F KNITTINGFiled Aug. 1l 1951 1l Sheets-Sheet 8 0.x ZW n i,... M ,n MW/W/ i@ 7% ffvi.. .J M f m Sept. 18, 1956 P. w. BRls-row KNITTING MACHINE AND METHODoF KNITTING Filed Aug. 11. 1951 l1 Sheets-Sheet 9 BY I 'y Lf v mATTORNEYS.

Sept. 18, 1956 P. w. BRlsTow 2,753,144

KNITTING MACHINE AND METHOD 0F KNITTING Filed Aug. 11, 1951 1lSheets-Sheet. 10

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Sept. 18, 1956 P. w. BRIS-row 2,763,144

' KNITTING MACHINE AND METHOD OF lKNI'ITING Filed Aug. 11, 1951 11Smets-sheet 11 #rv ATTORNEY United States Patent O KNTTTING AND METHOD FKNITTING Paul W. Bristow, deceased, late of Laconia, N. H., by MildredS. IBristow, executrix, Laconia, N. H., assigner to Scott & Williams,Incorporated, Laconia, N. H., a corporation of Massachusetts ApplicationAugust 11, 1951, Serial No. 241,434 31 Claims. ('Cl. 66-14) Thisinvention relates to knitting machines and methods of knitting, and hasparticular reference to the provision of an auxiliary patterncontrolling mechanism in a knitting machine and the knitting proceduresinvolve therein and the products thereof.

One object of the invention is to provide for the formation of elaboratestitch arrangements without requiring the utilization of stepson themain control drum of the Y machine which would normally be requiredtherefor. In

This auxiliary drum is stepped about in proper positions for theformation of particular stitches A which may be repeated in a number ofcourses. The number of repeated stitches then formed is determined byVthe delay prior to another action of a link on the main pattern chainto restart the stepping of the drum. Another stepping sequence may thenoccur which, in turn,

is stopped under control of the drum when the parts are positioned foranother stitch sequence. This action may be repeated one or more timesbefore the auxiliary drum returns to its initial position whereupon itwill be stopped until the proper time during the formation of asubsequent stocking.

The invention is particularly applicable for the formation of apress-olf draw thread and accompanying welt structures. In additionthere may be picot formation.

Provisions of the stitch structures just mentioned would normallyrequire a relatively large number of steps of the main ca m drum. By theadoption of the present invention, such steps ofthe main cam drum arenot wasted, leaving such steps available for the formation of otherstitch structures in the stocking.

In connection with press-olf draw thread formation, the

auxiliary drum not only controls needle operating cams but also controlsa needle leveler, a latch opener and a needle presser.

A further object of the invention is to provide a knitting machinecapable of knitting a two feed top and/ or a two feed leg consistentlywith the provision of a pressoff draw thread and one or more weltsconnecting successive stockings.

Another object of the invention is to provideV for use of a needleleveler as a welt presser, an action which is particularly useful whenmaking reverse welts.

Still another object of the invention is the provision of a novelcontinuous multiple stocking blank from which individual stocking`blanks may be removed by withdrawal of draw threads leavingnon-ravelling upper edges for the tops of the individual blanks. Themethods involved in the formation of such a multiple stocking blank arealso objects of the invention,

2,763,144 Patented Sept. 18, 1956 In the following description referencewill be particuarly made to the use of the invention in a superposedcylinder type of machine, though it will be recognized that certainaspects of the invention are of more general applicability to knittingmachines of other types.

The foregoing and other objects of the invention particularly relatingto details of construction and operation will become apparent from thefollowing description read in conjunction With the accompanyingdrawings, lin which:

Figure l is an axial section through the upper portion of-a superposedrotary cylinder machine showing, in particular, the upper and lowercylinders and their associated parts including a pattern drum for thecontrol of jacks in the upper cylinder;

Figure 2 is a fragmentary elevation showing in particular the set-up ofselector jacks and a pair of cams operating thereon;

Figure 3 is a horizontal section showing'various controlling elements; v.l 4

Figure 4 is a fragmentary elevation showing in particu'- Vlar theelements constituting an auxiliary control drum and its associatedparts;

Figures 5 to l2, inclusive, are, respectively, fragmentary horizontalsections on the planes indicated at 5--5', 6 6, 7 7, 8--8, 9 9, 10-10,11--11 and 12`12 i Figurel 4;

Figure 13 is a fragmentary elevation showing in par ticular certainconnections associated with a lower transfer cam;

Figure 14 is a fragmentary elevation showing various elements controlledby the main pattern ,chain of the machine;

Figure 15 is a vertical section taken on the surface the trace of whichis indicated at 15-15 in Figure 14;

Figure 16 is a plan view showing an operating link of the chain; Y

Figure 17 is a plan View showing the arrangement ofa follower actuatedby a lug on the link of Figure 16;

' Figure 18 is a fragmentary plan View showing-certain operatingelements particularly associated with a needle leveler, a needle presserand a latch opener and with a press-olf bolt cam;

Figure 19 is a fragmentary elevation illustrating the parts shown inFigure 18;

Figure 2O is a fragmentary axial section showing in particular thearrangement of a needle leveler, needle presser, a latch opener withrespect to a needle;

Figure 2l is a fragmentary elevation showing the parts illustrated inFigure 20; v

Figure 22 is a fragmentary elevation showing certain operating parts forcontrol of the axial position of a stitch cam acting on upper cylindersliders;

Figure 23 is a developed view of the needle-controlling cams of themachine;

Figure 24 is a stitch diagram, showing the inside of a fabric,illustrating the formation of various portions of a stocking underspecial control of the mechanism involving the present invention;

Figure 25 is a diagram showing the nature of a multiple stocking blankproduced in accordance with the invention; and

Figure 26 is a stitch diagram generally similar to Figure 24 but showingan alternative welt formation.

The machine is basically a superposed cylinder machine arranged for theproduction of broad rib or links-links work provided with a main patternchain, a conventional main pattern drum (not shown) and other parts ofconventional type. Accordingly, many of the parts need not bespecifically described. The lower and upper cylinders are respectivelyillustrated at 2 and 4. Within grooves in the lower cylinder there slidethe sliders 6 provided with the usual upper butts S and lower butts 10.In addition most `of the sliders carry butts 11 at a third lowermostlevel. In the upper cylinder there are similar sliders 12 provided withupper butts it@ and lower butts 16. The various butts are differentiatedas to length in the usual fashion for sole and instep formation and fortransfer selections. The sliders control double-ended latch needles 18in the usual fashions and provisions of conventional type, in partdescribed hereafter, are made for the transfer of needles from onecylinder to the other. With the needles in the lower cylinder therecooperate the usual arcuate sinkers 20, while with the needles in theupper cylinder there cooperate in conventional fashion the verge bits22. Mounted in the slots in the upper cylinder 4 above the sliders 12are selector jacks 24 which are provided with butts at a series oflevels, which butts maybe selectively removed depending upon thepatterning to be accomplished. The butts at various levels on the jacks24 are acted upon by cams such as 25 (Fig. 23) of conventional typecontrolled by pins selectively arranged in a pattern drum which ispartially indicated in Figure 1 at 26. In particular, this pattern drumis adapted for the production of links-links work. As will be evidenthereafter the patterning possibilities offered by the ldrum arerelatively independent of the elements and operations constituting thepresent invention, and it will become clear that the invention isequally applicable to machines which do not involve patterning of thelinks-links type. Aswill appear hereafter butts on jacks 24 at two lowerlevels are subject to special cam control in accordance with theinvention.

The lower cylinder 2 is provided with annular groove 30 in which therecan operate a needle presser 32 to push needles in the lower cylinder tothe back of each slot to support them at the time the sliders are beingraised during press-off by the cam 34 (Figures 20, 2l and 23). A needleleveler 35 and a latch opener 36 are provided which function generallyin the same fashion as the corresponding elements described in thepatent to Oberholtzer No. 2,557,137, dated June 19, 1951. Brieflystated, the needles are raised by cam 34 to a level such that the upperends of their hooks just clear the under side of the leveler 35 whichprevents any overrun of the needles and insures substantial engagementof their lower hooks with the ledges of their sliders if that engagementdoes not already exist. At the resulting level the latch opener entersbehind the latches to effect opening. Further rise then occurs due tothe action of cam 33. As will more fully appear hereafter the needlepresser, needle leveler and latch opener are simultaneously controlledin the operations of formation of a press-off draw thread. The needleleveler has an additional novel function as a welt presser as hereafterdescribed.

A fixed upright stud 37 serves for the mounting of an assembly ofelements particularly illustrated in Figures 4 to 12, inclusive. Theassembled elements just referred to provide, in effect, an auxiliarycontrol drum, hereafter so-called, which is designed to providerelatively complex controlling operations without wasting steps of theconventional main control drum of the machine. The lowermost of theseelements is a cam 38 above which there are a ratchet 4) and successivecams 42, 44, 46, 48, 50 and 52. These various elements are assembledtogether in proper angular relationships and are, in particular,illustrated in the various horizontal sections the planes of which aremarked on Figure 4. The laminated drum which is formed by the stack ofthe elements just described is prevented from overrunning duringratcheting by a plunger 53 frictionally bearing on the top of the cam S2under the action of spring 5S.

As indicated particularly in Figure the cam 38 is provided with threenotches S4, 54 and 54". A Bowden wire 56 is connected at 57 to a lever58 which is pivoted at 60 to a sleeve mounted on a cam shaft but heldagainst rotation by engagement of the lower end of lever 58 within aslot in a fixed bracket (see Figures 14 and 15'). The main pattern chain62 of the machine, which is trained over the sprocket wheel 66 securedto the usual chainadvancing ratchet 68, is provided at proper positions,as will appear hereafter, with special links 62 provided with laterallyextending lugs or cams 64. As indicated in Figure 16, the cam 64 isprovided at the trailing end of the link but, if desired, this cam maybe located at the leading end so that the action of the cam may occur atany course, the pattern chain, as is usual, being advanced one link forevery two revolutions. The lever 58 carries a follower 70 engageable bythe cam 64, the follower' being adjustably secured to lever 58 by ascrew 72 which passes through an elongated slot in the follower. Asecond member 74 is provided to prevent disengagement of the cam 64- andfollower 70 in the event of tilting of a link 62. The arrangement justdescribed serves, when cam 64 engages follower 70, to pull the Bowdenwire 56 which at its distant end is connected to a follower 90 for thecam 38 pivoted on an eccentric stud 92, the stud being adjustable toprovide an accurate positioning of the pivot (see Figure 5).

The vertical shaft 78 which serves to drive the upper cylinder makes tworevolutions for each revolution of the cylinders. As illustrated inFigures 3 and 6, this shaft 78 carries a cam 76 which is arranged to acton a bell crank 80 pivoted at 82 to the frame and connected at E4 to apawl 86 arranged for the advance of ratchet 40. A spring 88 urges thepawl 86 into engagement with the teeth of ratchet 4t) and in a directionto bring the bell crank 80 into contact with the cam 76. Secured to theupper side of the follower 90 is a member 94 which is arranged toobstruct the path of pawl 86 against movement under the action of spring88. A spring 96 normally urges the follower 90 and member 94 toward thepositions illustrated in Figures 5 and 6. Under these conditions, whenthe bell crank 80 is released by the cam 7 6 the pawl 86, nevertheless,cannot move to engage another tooth of the ratchet 40.

The operations of the elements just described may no1.l be given asfollows:

When the Bowden wire 56 is Vpulled by the action of a cam 64 of a link62 on follower 70, the follower lever 90 is pulled outwardly from anotch 54 of cam 38. When this action Occurs the member 94 is pulledtoward the left, as viewed in Figure 6, out' of the path of pawl 86which, at this time, will be in the position occasioned by engagement ofthe high portion of earn 76 on bell crank 80. When the cam now releasesthe bell crank the pawl 86 is free to move downwardly as viewed inFigure 6 to engage the next tooth of ratchet 40 and then, as the pawl isagain advanced by the action of cam 76 on bell crank 80', the entireassembly connected to the ratchet 40 will advance by one step so thatthe follower 90 will ride on a portion of the surface of cam 38 beyondthe notch 54 in which it originally reposed. The follower 90 will remainin this position and the pawl will accordingly remain operative toimpart step by step movementsto the ratchet and its associated elementseven though theA cam 64 will have passed the follower 70 and will havereleased the pull lon Bowden wire 56. The result is continued steppingof the ratchet 40 until the next notch 54"' moves into position topermit the follower 90 to drop therein. When this occurs, the member 94will again move' into the path of pawl 86 and prevent it from movingunder the action of spring 88 sufficiently to take a new tooth. The camand ratchet assembly accordingly stops until another link 62 affectspull on Bowden wire 56 to remove follower 98 from notch 54'. As will beevident, there will be three periods of operationv of the assemblyifthere are three notches 54, 54 and 54 in cam 38, though, if desired,there may be provided additional or fewer steps or periods of operation.The duration between the periods of operation il determined by thespacing of links 62' on the pattern c ain.

A latch 98 pivoted to the frame and urged counterclockwise, as viewed inFigure 6, by a spring 100 is arranged to engage a pin 102 carried bybell crank 80 to retain the bell crank in its outer position to preventits following the cam '76. To move the latch into engaging position, itis connected to a Bowden wire 104 which, as illustrated in Figure 13, isconnected to the lever 106 which operates a transfer cam 105 (Figure23). The lever 106 is pivoted on a post 108 and is normally arranged tobe acted upon by a toggle 110 connected to a plunger 112 following camson the main cam drum` of the machine, to move the transfer cam '105'into operative position against the action of a strong spring 114. Attimes, particularly in setting up the machine, it is desirable todisconnect the toggle 110, dropping it to the construction line positionillustrated in Figure 13. Under these circumstances, cam 105 isretracted, with the result that subsequent operation would involve theupper sliders being empty. Under such circumstances, the operating ofthe press-olf draw thread sequences would result in press-ofi of thefabric and considerable damage. Consequently, .'henever the toggle 110is released and the spring 114 then becomes free to operate on lever106, the Bowden wire 104 will be pulled producing a latching of the bellcrank 80 in position to prevent racking of the ratchet wheel 40 despitethe action of a link 62 which otherwise would initiate racking.

As illustrated in Figure 12, the uppermost cam 52 is arranged to act on'the uppermost lever 116 of. a stack of such levers pivoted on a commonpost 118. Through a wire link 120 the lever 116 controls the lever 122which carries a selector cam 124 (Figures 2 and 23)'. ln similarfashion, as indicated in Figure 7, the lowermost cam 42 of the stackabove the ratchet Wheel 40 controls a lever 126, also pivoted on pin118, which lever through a link 128 controls the lever 13:0 carrying asecond selector cam 132 located immediately below the cam 124. Springs138 and 140 normally urge the cams 124 and 132 toward their operatingpositions.

At this point, attention may be drawn to the butts indicated at 134 and136 in Figure 2 which are respectively arranged to be acted upon by thecams 132 and 124 to provide movements of the jacks 24 fortherperformance of the operations described hereafter. Every tenth jackin the upper cylinder lacks a butt at the level 136, and al1intermediate jacks are provided with butts 136, while all jacks areprovided with butts 134. Both sets of butts comprise long and shortbutts, the long butts being over long knitting butts of Sliders in the4lower cylinder and the short butts being over short knitting butts ofsliders in the lower cylinder.

Referring now to Figure 11, the cam 50 acts upon a lever 142 which isconnected to one end of Bowden wire 144 the other end of which isconnected, as illustrated particularly in Figure 22, to control theheight of the upper stitch cam 146 at the main feed of the machine. T othis end the Bowden wire is connected to a lever 148. The cam 146 iscarried by a slide 150 in usual fashion and is under the usual controlby the main cam drum for vertical movement. The slide 150 carries astud` 156 under which lies the left-hand end `of a lever 158 pivoted at162 to the frame and normally urged downwardly by a spring 161). Thelever 148 is pivoted to the lever 158 atV 164 and overlies a member 166Ycarried' by the trarne so that when the Bowden wire 144 is pulled thelever 148 rocks about 166 as a fulcrum liftingl therighthand end oflever 158 against the tension of spring 160 to release the slide 150 toa lowered position. VIt may be noted that the uppermost position ofslide 150y is determined by engagement of lever. 158 with an adjustablestop 168 while the lowermost positionof thisls'amev slide isdeterminedby engagement of an adjustablestp screw l170 carried thereby Witha'-xed'- portionl of. the fratrie.

A second adjustable stopY screw 171 is engageable by a cam 173 to raisecam 146 during broad rib knitting.

As shown in Figure l0, the cam 48 acts on a lever 172 which throughBowden wire 174 controls the position of the frame bolt cam 34 shown inFigures 20, 21 and 23. This cam 34 is normally in operating position andis pulled out against a conventional spring (not illustrated) by theBowden wire 174.

As shown in Figure 9, the cam 46 operates on lever 176 which throughBowden wire 178 controls a second frame bolt cam 180, the pull on theBowden wire withdrawing this cam against the action of a conventionalspring which normally maintains cam 180 in active position. v

As shown in Figure 8, cam 44 acts on a lever 182 which is connected to aBowden wire 184. This Bowden wire serves through the mechanismillustrated in Figures 18 and 19 to control the cam 186 shown in Figure23, the needle presser 32, the needle leveler 35 and the latch opener36.

The Bowden wire 184 is connected to one arm 188 of a composite leverpivoted at 192 to the frame and urged clockwise, as viewed in Figure 18,by a spring 191. A slide 196 is mounted in the frame and is providedwith a follower end engageable with a cam 198 which is secured to theshaft 200 of the usual two feed mechanism which is stepped about undercontrol of the main pattern drum during the operation of the machine.Beneath the slide V196 is an independent slide 194 engageable with therighthand side of the arm 188. The slide 194 has an upwardly turned end202 engaging the stern 204 through which the cam 186 is yieldinglypressed inwardly in conventional fashion against the normal urge of aspring 187 to remove it from action. Between the end of slide 196 andthe upturned end of slide 194 there extends one end of a lever 206 whichis pivoted to the frame at 208 and acts on an upright lever 210 whichcontrols the position of the two-feed bolt cam 212 shown in Figure 23.The result of this arrangement is that when cam 198 acts on slide 196lever 206 is rocked to move inwardly cam 212 and at the same time byengaging the upturned end 202 of slide 194, cam 186 is moved inwardly.However when Bowden wire 184 is released and spring 191 rocks arm 188,that arm acts directly on slide 194 to move earn 186 inwardly withoutmoving cam 212, such action occurring during the formation of thepress-od draw thread.

For the purpose of controlling the needle presser and needle leveler anarm 214 of lever 190 is arranged to engage an adjustable portion 216 ofthe lever 218 which supports both the needle leveler 35 and the needlepresser 32. When the Bowden wire 184 is relaxed, the arm 214 moves outof engagement with 216 and under these conditions the needle presser andneedle leveler are moved to operative positions by the action of spring220 acting on the arm 218. The inner position of the lever 218 isdetermined by engagement of needle presser 32 with the needles. When,however, the Bowden wire 184 is pulled by the action of cam 44, the arm214 engages the member 216 and moves both the needle leveler and theneedle presser against the action of spring 228.

The latch opener 36 is alsosubjected to control at the same times as theneedle leveler andneedle presser. To this end it is mounted on a carrier222 pivoted on a post 224 and normally urged counterclockwise, as viewedin Figure 18, by a spring 226 to a position limited by an adjustablestop 230. When the lever 190 is in the clocl'- wise position under theaction of spring 191 during relaxation of Bowden wire 184, a wire 228forming a further arm of lever 190 is removed from engagement with thelatch opener carrier 222. When, however, the Bowden wire 184 is pulled,the wire 228 engages the carrier 222 to withdraw the latch opener fromthe needles against the action of. spring 226.

areal-14 Before proceeding with a description of the operation,reference may be made to certain elements in Figure 23. 234 and 232 arerespectively the forward and reverse lower stitch carns at the mainfeed. At 236 there is shown the lower stitch cam at the second feed. Apair of rib bolt cams are shown at 238 and 240, these being operatedfrom the main cam drum in usual fashion. A fixed reverse welt cam isprovided at 242. It extends inwardly sutiiciently far to engage mediumtransfer butts on the lower sliders but misses short transfer butts. Thesliders having the medium and long transfer butts arc those which areempty after the 1 x 1 transfer, but by the action of cam 242 theycontinue to rise to the knitting race and guard the latches of theneedles in the upper cylinder during the knitting of reverse welts.

Cam 242 is removable from action may be replaced by a cam 243 which isinvolved in the formation of picot regular welts by acting on lowerslider butts at the lowermost level 11. When cam 242 is used, 243 isremoved from action. In other Words, cams 242 and 243 are alternativelyused as described hereafter.

The upper transfer cam is provided at 244. This is operated in the usualfashion by the main cam drum to transfer sole sliders down just ahead ofthe heel and the rest of the sliders at the ring toe portion of astocking.

There is also a lower transfer cam provided at 246 to act on transferbutts 10. The upper stitch cam at the second feed is shown at 248. Anupper heel bolt cam is provided at 250. It is operated in usual fashionby the main cam drum, being stepped out to level all of the uppercylinder sliders at cleared level during heel and toe knitting.

A plurality of interchangeable yarns are fed at the main feed at theposition generally indicated at 252 while a plurality of interchangeableyarns are fed at the second feed at the position generally indicated at254. In the present machine, heels and toes are formed in conventionalfashion, and in their formation there enter, as usual, the raisingpickers 256 and 258 and the lowering picker 260.

The present invention is principally concerned with the knitting of theportion of a sock or stocking beginning with the loopers waste courseand ending with the formation of the regular rib top. Accordingly, onlythe operations involved in this portion of a stocking need beconsidered, it being understood that the remaining portions of thestocking may be formed in conventional fashion. There will first beconsidered the knitting of a stocking having, in sequence following theloopers waste course, a regular welt formation, press-off draw threadstructure, a picot reverse welt and a second reverse welt, preceding thebeginning of a l X 1 rib top.

Following the completion of the toe of the stocking all of the needleswill be in the lower cylinder sliders knitting the plain fabric whichforms the usual loopers waste or ravel courses. In all of the operationswhich are here particularly involved, knitting takes place at the mainfeed only and this will be assumed in what follows. As will becomeevident, in other portions of the stocking, particularly the top and theleg, knitting may be carried out at the two feeds and, in fact, theinvention is primarily concerned with making this possible consistentlywith the formation of those features of construction about to bedescribed leading to the making of a continuous multiple stocking blank.During the plain knitting of the loopers waste courses the needlespassing from right to left as viewed in Figure 23 ride under the forwardstitch cam 234 taking yarn at 252 and are then raised by cam 180 to becleared at the level attained as they move over the following cam 181.The last course of plain knitting is indicated at A in Figure 24. Inthis figure the wales which are knit, following the plain knitting, byneedles in the lower cylinder are indicated at W1, W3, W5 and W7 whilethe wales knit the time stepping of the auxiliary drum begins.

, 8 by needles in the upper cylinder are indicated at Wz, W4, Ws and Ws.

Following the course A there may be knit one or more courses of 1 X 1rib fabric, two such courses being illustrated at B1 and B2. A main drummove takes place to effect the transition from plain fabric to the 1 x 1rib, and by this movement of the main drum cams 246 and are brought intoaction to transfer alternate needles to the upper cylinder inconventional fashion. At this time, cams 240, 238 and 250 are in activeposition but cam 240 is not in the path of butts on the upper sliders.Cams 124 and 132 are withdrawn. The lower butts on the upper slidersaccordingly take a path which rises over cam 250 and then over stitchcam 146, passing under thc action of cam 238 and the following cam 239to clearing level. At the same time, lower cam 180 is active while cam34 is in active position but ineffective, being out of the path of theupper butts of the lower sliders. Cam '186 is withdrawn so as to beinactive. The result is that the lower sliders move down the center cam233 and stitch cam 234, taking yarn at the main feed, and are thenraised by cam 180 and cam 181 to clear their stitches.

A regular welt is then produced by the action of cams -`on the main camdrum which act, during the next step, to withdraw cams 246 and 10S fromaction and to step out the cams 238 and 240. This is the last move ofthe main pattern drum until completion of the multiple welts. Varyingnumbers of courses may be now formed and as illustrated in Figure 24there are three courses C1, C2 and C3 now produced. Of the movable camsacting on upper sliders, only cam 250 is active. After once being raisedby this cam 250, however, the upper sliders move in the welt race abovethe stitch cams 146 and 248 holding the stitches last taken by theirneedles. Cams 180 and 34 remain in active positions, but the lowersliders only engage the cam 180, following the same path which After theformation of a suitable number of courses lof this regular welt, a sidelug or cam 64 on a link 62 of the main chain acts upon the lever 58 toeffect the beginning of racking of the auxiliary drum. As soon as themember 94 is removed from the path of pawl 86, the pawl is free toengage teeth of ratchet 40 to start the stepping of this auxiliary drum.Once started, the follower 90 is held by the cam member 38 in positionso that the racking continues until the next cut-out portion 54 of thecam 38 is presented for reception of the end of the follower 90. Figures7 to 12, inclusive, show the positions of the various carns 42, 44, 46,48, 5'0 and 52 at Under these conditions, the various follower leversbear against `the respective portions 42A, 44A, 46A, 48A, 50A and 52A ofthese cams. The first step of the auxiliary drum takes place as shortbutts of lower cylinder sliders are passing the location of cam 186. Bythe movement of cam 44 so that follower lever 182 drops on step 44B ofthis cam, the cam 186 is caused to move partway inwardly to miss thepassing short butts but to engage the first long butt reaching it sothat the long butt sliders ride under the cam 186. At the same time,follower 142 drops to surface 50B of cam 50, causing cam 146 to ,riseunder the action of spring to be in position to draw longer ribstitches.

At the same time as the described movement of cam 186 occurs, cams 124and 132 are stepped partway in as there pass by them short butts i ofthe selector jacks at the levels 136 and 134, respectively.

consequently, the needle leveler will engage the shanks of these shortbutt needles preventing the needle presser from moving inwardly all theway. However, as soon as the short butt sliders pass the position of theneedle leveler it is free to move inwardly to its operating positionabove the needles carried by long butt lower sliders as they rise overthe cam 34. As the long butt series of needles climb up the cam 34 theyare pressed toward the bottoms of their slots by the needle presser 32and the needle leveler keeps them from bouncing so that they areproperly aligned with the latch opener which opens the latches of theneedles which became closed during the pressing off of their loops. Thisoperation of the needle leveler and latch opener need not be describedin detail herein inasmuch as it is fully described in the Oberholtzerpatent referred to above. It may be noted that at this time the inwardposition of the needle leveler is determined by engagement of the needleShanks by the needle presser.

The selector jacks, when their butts are acted upon by the cam 132 (andcam 124, the action of which, however, is now superfluous), move theupper sliders and the needles which they carry downwardly to theknitting raceway so that 1 x l loops are drawn at the main feed.

During the passage of the long butt series of sliders in both the upperand lower cylinders past the cams 186, 124 and 132, the auxiliary drumtakes another step and these cams are then stepped sufficiently inwardlyto engage all of the sliders and selector jacks. This action occurs bythe dropping lof the followers to the surfaces 44C, 52C and 42C of therespective cams 44, 52 and 42. As will be evident, courses are nowformed in which l x l loops are drawn at the main feed, clearing of theneedles in the lower cylinder occurring because of the presence of cam180 in active position and press-off then occurring due to depression ofthe needles under the action of cam 186, the needles being thereafterraised by the action of cam 34 so as to pass through the knitting camsto take the yarn at 252. In the case of the upper sliders, the slidersare raised by cam 250 which is active and are then raised by stitch cam146, the upper cylinder needles then being cleared by the actions ofcams 124 and 132 on the selector jack butts. Under these conditionsthere may be knit two or more courses, two courses being illustrated atD1 and D2 in Figure 24. The loops and bights indicated in dotted linesin wales W1, Wa, W5 and W7 of courses D1 and D2 are shown to indicatethe initial drawing of yarn by the corresponding needles. As press-offoccurs, however, the yarn lengths thus drawn are absorbed in the loopsin the intermediate wales providing the elongated stitches shown. It maybe noted that the loops of course C3 are the last formed of a portion offabric consisting of courses C1, C2 and Cs and that this portion offabric normally curls outwardly after press-off of the loops of courseD1 from the lower cylinder needles, and also that previously formedfabric is supported by upper needle loops in W2, W4, We and W8 formed atcourse D2.

At the end of these press-off draw thread courses, three successivemovements of the auxiliary -drurn occur bringing into action in thefirst movement step 46D of cam 46, in the second movement steps 42E, 46Eand 48E of cams 42, 46 and 48, and .in the third movement steps 42F and48F of cams 42 and 48. The final result Vis the full withdrawal of cams34, 180 and 132, each of these cams being, as is usual, partlywithdrawnl as long butts are passing it and then fully withdrawn asshort butts pass it. As the last of these three steps occurs, the nextnotch 54 comes into coincidence with the end 0f the follower 90 so as tostop the racking of the auxiliary drum.

The results of the foregoing may b e described as follows: v

Of the movable cams which may act on lower sliders only the cam 186 isnow in active position. Cam, 242,

10 however, is also active. .(In the present operation `cani 243 iswithdrawn from action.) The result is that the needles carried by lowersli-ders follow a welt race below the stitch cams at both feeds holdingthe last stitches taken thereby.

The lower medium butt sliders which do not carry needles are raised bycam 242 to the knitting raceway to act as latch guards.

The needles which are associated with selector jacks not having butts inthe upper position 136 move in the upper welt race, since the cam 132which operates at a level in which butts on all sliders are present iswithdrawn and, consequently, the needles are not lowered to clearingposition. These last named needles, therefore, also hold the loops lasttaken by them.

The other needles in the upper cylinder, however, are cleared due to theaction of cam 124 on the selector butts at the upper level 136.Accordingly, rib stitches are formed by the last mentioned needles withthe resulting production of the picot reverse welt structure illustratedin the courses E1, E2 and E3 of Figure 24. Wales W2, W4 and Wa are thoseformed by needles associated with jacks having selector butts 136, whilewale W6 is typical of the wales produced by every fifth rib needleassociated with a jack not having a selector butt 136.

During the formation of this picot reverse welt the needle leveler has asecond function. On regular welts knit by needles in the lower cylinderwith the sinkers performing the knocking over function, there is nodiiculty in making plain or picot welts. When plain reverse welts areknit with needles in the upper cylinder without benefit of sinkers,there is some limitation to the number of courses that can be knit dueto the fact that the lower cylinder needles hold loops and limit thefabric take-up pull. On reverse picot welts where certain of the ribneedles are also in the welt race holding stitches, this `problem isstill more serious. It has been found that the needle leveler functionsvery well as a welt presser to push the fabric well inside the circle ofneedles before the upper cylinder needles start down to clear theirstitches. In performing this additional function, there is an increasein the possible number of courses which may be provided in reverse weltsand especially in picot reverse welts. While only three courses areshown as involved in the picot reverse welt it is possible to providemore courses with the resulting accentuation of the picot edge whichattains its final form when the stockings are separated by the cuttingand pulling out of course D2.

As was stated the last movement referred to of the auxiliary drumresulted in its being brought to rest with the follower in notch 54. Thenext portion of its cycle of movement is again initiated by the actionof a lug 0r cam 64 on a link 62 of the main chain. The position of thislug determines the extent of the picot, the formation of which willcontinue until such a lug becomes active to restart the auxiliary drum.

The first active step which occurs after the auxiliary drum is restarted.involves the bringing into operation on the followers 126 and 172 ofthe portions 42G and 48G of cams 42 and 4S, respectively. The result isto bring partly into active position, during the passage of short butts,the cams 132 and 34. Remembering that cam 250.

is already in operative position, it will be evident that this effectsthe production of l x l rib fabric by all of the long butt needles andas these needles pass the cam positions thenext step brings intooperation the portions 42H and 48H of cams 42 and 48, the result beingto produce 1 x l rib fabric by all of the short butt needles followingthe long butt series. A full course F of l x l rib fabric is thusproduced. Immediately following this, follower 142 rises on step SOI ofcam 50 to eiect lowering of stitch cam 146 to cause it to draw properlength stitches for the 1 x 1 knitting.

. 11 Immediately following this a further step takes place bringing thesurface 48K of cam 48 in position engaging follower 172 to result instepping partway out the cam 34 as long butts pass this cam, the nextstep bringing the surface 48L of cam 48 into operation as the shortbutts pass so that cam 34 will then miss both long and short butts. Theresult is that the lower sliders which carry needles are again levelledoff in the welt race to hold the stitches which they last drew, theempty lower sliders being raised by cam 242 for latch guarding purposesas heretofore described. At the same time, however, cam 132 is active tocause the needles carried by the upper sliders to clear and drawstitches. The result is the formation of a reverse welt comprising thecourses G1, G2 and G3 and which has no picot edge since knitting nowoccurs in the wales such as We. At this time, by reason of the fact thatfollower 142 drops on surface 50L of cam 50 the rib stitch cam 146 isagain raised to draw extra long stitches for the formation of thereverse welt. The needle leveler remains in position to act as a weltpresser as previously described.

Following the operations to initiate reverse welt formation, theauxiliary drum is again stopped by the fact that notch 54" of cam 38comes into position to receive the end of follower 90. The formation ofthe reverse welt may, therefore, continue as long as the action of afurther lug 64 of a link 62' on lever 58 is delayed.

When the desired number of courses of the reverse welt has been formed,the auxiliary drum is again started by a lug 64. Cam 34 is again putinto action in successive steps, as short and then long butts pass it,by the actions of the surfaces 48M and 48N of cam 48. Cam 180 issimilarly stepped into action by steps 46N and 461 of cam 46. Thesurfaces 44N, 42N and 52N of cams 44, 42 and 52 come into action as longbutts pass to partially withdraw the respective cams 186, 132 and 124.Then as short butts pass, surfaces 44P, 421 and SZP of these cams comeinto action to effect full withdrawal of cams 186, 132 and 124. Thesurface SQP of cam 50 restores the stitch cani 146 to its normal loweredposition. It will be evident that all of the parts are thus restored toconditions to provide l x l single feed rib, courses of which areindicated at H1 and H2 in Figure 24. After the parts are thus restored,the auxiliary drum stops in its original position. The production of l Xl rib fabric then continues until there occurs in usual fashion a stepof the main cam drum.

It may be noted that when reverse welts as described are knit on theupper cylinder needles, it is important to raise the stitch cam 146because of the shift to and from l X l rib stitch drawing. By shiftingonly cam 146 and not cam 248, there is avoided the tendency to cut thestitches drawn at the main feed by stretching them at the auxiliaryfeed.

A single feed l x l top of conventional type may then be knit or, ifdesired, the selector jacks may be controlled by their pattern drum toprovide any other desired type of top, for example 2 X 2 or other typeas desired. Furthermore, as will be evident a two-feed top may now beknit under normal control from the main pattern drum of the machine,which again becomes active, yarns being fed at both feeds 252 and 254.

The use of the auxiliary drum not only saves steps of the main patterndrum and makes possible elaborate stitch formation as just described,but it also renders unnecessary the use of a linger at the second feedto produce a draw thread so that this finger becomes available toprovide a special yarn in the further knitting of a stocking. ln thisway, for example, the top may be knit twofeed with one Weight or kind ofyarn and the leg and foot can be knit two-feed with another weight orkind of yarn.

Following the stitch formations which have been detailed above, theknitting of the remainder of the stocking may proceed in conventionalfashion, either single feed or two feed as desired, with the formationof legv patterns Y 12 continued into the instep, for example patterns oflinkslinks type, broad rib, or otherwise. The formation of heels andtoes is conventional in this machine and need not be particularlydescribed, the formations of heels and toes utilizing the narrowingpickers 256 and 258 and the Widening picker 260.

In Figure 25 there is illustrated a multiple stocking blank of the typeto which the invention relates. This blank may be of indefinite lengthand consists of repeats of knitted structure as, for example, of thatincluded between the lines marked X. Letters corresponding to those inFigure 24 are applied to corresponding portions of the fabric. Aindicates the loopers Waste courses, knit single feed as described or,if desired, two feed; B is the portion of l x l rib formation; C is theregular welt which, as described above, curls outwardly after press offof stitches formed in the lower cylinders; D is the press-off drawthread portion of the fabric; E is the picot reverse welt; F is the l xl rib course preceding the reverse welt G; and H is the rib top, shownin Figure 24 as l X l but which may be knit two feed as 1 x l or otherrib, for example 2 X 2. The foregoing structures have already beendetailed with reference to Figure 24.

Following the rib top, the leg l is knit. This may be knit two feed, andof yarns different from those used in the two feed knitting of the ribtop so that the top and leg may be of different thickness or weight, andembodies structure provided by selection of needles between thecylinders. A broad rib leg is illustrated but this may, of course, be oflinks-links type.

Prior to forming the heel I, all needles in the rear of the stocking aretransferred to the lower cylinder interrupting pattern formation at therear of the stocking, and the heel I is then formed in usual fashion bynarrowing and Widening on the sole needles while the instep needles areraised to inactive level holding stitches of the instep.

Following completion of the heel, the foot K is formed and, as shown,the leg pattern is carried only through the instep, the sole being knitplain by needles in the lower cylinder only. The foot may be knit twofeed the same as the leg.

All of the needles are then transferred to the lower cylinder and thetoe pocket L is then knit in usual fashion. Following this the looperswaste courses A are produced.

Repetition of the foregoing provides individual stocking blanks in amultiple stocking blank, the individual blanks beng separable by cuttingand pulling out the draw thread course corresponding to Dz.

The foregoing description has been specifically directed t0 theformation of a stocking in which following thc loopers waste coursethere is produced a regular welt and then a press-off draw threadstructure followed by a picot reverse welt and a plain reverse welt.Alternatively, there may be produced in accordance with the invention astructure including, in succession following the loopers waste course, aregular welt, a press-olf draw thread structure, a picot regular weltand a plain regular welt. The structure involved in this lastalternative is illustrated in Figure 26 which is generally similar toFigure 24 but in which generally corresponding courses and wales aredesignated by the same reference characters primed.

The courses A', B1', B2', C1', C2', C3', D1 and D2' correspondrespectively to the correspondingly unprimed courses of Figure 24 andtheir formations may be carried out in the fashions previouslydescribed.

Following the foregoing, however, courses E1', Ez', and E3 are formed toprovide a picot regular welt. ln these courses which, except for picotformation, resemble those which formed the regular welt preceding thepress-off draw thread structure, the lower cylinder needles with theexception of the picot-forming needles form regular stitches as in thewales W1', W3' and W7', while the upper cylinder needles move in theirwelt race holding stitches last taken by them. The` picot-formingneedles in the lower cylinder move in a welt race to hold yarn taken bythem but to provide long drawn loops such as indicated at Y in the waleW.

This is followed by the formation of a course F' of l x 1 rib fabricwhich is then followed by regular welt formation'in the` lcourses Gir',G2 and Ga as previously described. Following this, the l x 1 rib top isbegun as indicated bythe courses H1 and H2', this 1 x 1 rib top beingknit either Single feed or two feed as desired.

If. both of the regular welts refererd to are to be plain knit withoutpicot formation, the formations thereof would be carried out preciselyas described in connection withV the regular welt of Figure 24. However,if picot formation is desired, then some special handling of thepicot-forming needles is required involving simple changes inthemechanism which may be described as follows:

Inasmuch as the picot-forming needles in the lower cylinder must bedifferentiated from the other needles knitting in the lower cylinder,the sliders 6 may be provided with a third lowermost set of butts asindicated at 11 in Figure 20, these butts being provided on thosesliders which are to provide knitting by the lower cylinder needlesduring the formation of the regular picot welt, The sliderscorresponding to the picot-forming needles have butts missing at thislevel. It may be noted that the same sliders, having butts 11, may beused for both reverse and regular picot welt formation, but in theformer case the butts 11 are inactive.

In order to provide differentiation of the two. sets of lower slidersand their needles, the cam 243 is put into action, cam 242 beingwithdrawn. Cam 132 is active, cam 240 being withdrawn. The use of cam132 insures corresponding starting points in both cylinders. Cams 18.0and 34 are withdrawn.

Comparing the result with regular plain welt formation, it will beevident that those sliders which do not form the picot depressions willfollow the welt race after moving down stitch cam 234 and willpass'withdrawn cam 180. They will then be raised to clearing level bythe action of cam 243 on ,their butts 11 and then by cam 33, being`again lowered as they pass the main feed. On the other hand, the sliderslacking butts 11 will not be raised by cam 243 and will move in the weltrace, their knitting butts missing withdrawn cam 34 and their transfervbutts missing Withdrawn cam 242. The result is that spaced needles willhold stitches to provide the picot structure.l During the formation ofthe second regular welt the operation may, of course, be as previouslydescribed with cams 180 and 34 restored to active position, cam 186, ofcourse, remaining out of action.

It will be evident that these various auxiliary operations of cams 180and 34 may be controlled by .the auxiliary drum with suitable changes inintermediate connections, the controls being generally similar to thoseinvolved in the case of cams 124 and 132 as previously described.

It will be evident that, when regular welts are thus provided in placeof reverse welts, the. stocking structural arrangement will beessentially similar to that of Figure 25 previously described.

What is claimed is:

l. A knitting machine comprising means for knitting a multiple feed legand foot, each containing both forwardly and reversely concatenated`stitches, means for knitting a welt following completion of the foot,means for knitting a press-off draw thread structure following saidwelt, means for knitting after said press-off draw thread struct-ure atleast one welt, and means for then knitting a top having both forwardlyand reversely concatenated stitches.

2. A knitting machine comprising means for knitting a multiple feed legand foot, each containing both forwardly and reversely concatenatedstitches, means for knitting a welt following completion of the foot,means for knititng a press-off draw thread structure. following 114 saidwelt, means for knitting after said press-off drawv thread structure apicot, and means for then knitting a top having both forwardly andreversely concatenated stitches.

3. A knitting machine comprising means for knitting a multiple feed legand foot, each containing both forwardly and reversely concatenatedstitches, means for knitting a welt following completion of the foot,means for knitting a press-off draw thread structure following saidwelt, means for knitting after said press-off draw thread structure aplurality of welts, and means for then knitting a top having bothforwardly and reversely concatenated stitches.

4. A knitting machine comprising means for knitting a multiple feed legand foot, each containing both forwardly and reversely concatenatedstitches, means for knitting a welt following completion of the foot,means for knitting a press-off draw thread structure following saidwelt, means for knitting after said press-off draw thread structure aplurality of welts, the first of which is a picotwelt, and means forthen knitting a top having both forwardly and reversely concatenatedstitches.

5. A knitting machine comprising means for knitting a multiple feed legand foot, each containing both forwardly and reversely concatenatedstitches, means for knitting a single feed welt following completion ofthe foot, means for knitting a press-off draw thread structure followingsaid welt, means for knitting after said pressof draw thread structureat least one welt, and means for then knitting a top having bothforwardly and reversely concatenated stitches.

6. A knitting machine comprising means for knitting a multiple feed legand foot, each containing both forwardly and reversely concatenatedstitches, means for knitting a welt following completion of the foot,means for knitting a press-off draw thread structure following said weltmeans for-knitting after said press-off draw thread structure at leastone single feed welt, and means for then knitting a top having bothforwardly and reversely concatenatedV stitches.

7. In a knitting machine, a main pattern device, an auxiliary patterndevice having a cycle of operation comprising a plurality of subcyclesof operation, means carried by said main pattern device for initiatingone subcycle of operation of the auxiliary pattern device, meanscontrolled by the auxiliary pattern device during said subcycle to forma press-off draw thread structure and to initiate the formation of apicot welt, means controlled by the auxiliary pattern device forterminating said subcycle of operation, means carried by said mainpattern device for determining the number of courses of said picot weltto be formed and for initiating a second subcycle of operation of theauxiliary pattern device, means controlled by the auxiliary patterndevice during said second subcycle to form a rib structure and toinitiate the formation of a second welt, means controlled by theauxiliary pattern device for terminating said second subcycle ofoperatiom means carried by said main pattern device for determining `thenumber of courses of said second welt to be formed and for initiating athird subcycle of operation of the auxiliary pattern device, meanscontrolled hy the auxiliary pattern device during said third subcycle toinitiate the formation of a rib structure, and means controlled by theauxiliary pattern device for terminating said third subcycle ofoperation.

S. Vln a knitting machine, a main pattern device, an auxiliary patterndevice having a cycle of operation cornprising a plurality of subcyclesof operation, means carrieti; by'said main pattern device for initiatingone subcycle of operation of the auxiliary pattern device, meanscontrolled by the auxiliary pattern device during said subcycle to forma press-off draw thread structure and to initiate the formation of apicot reverse welt, means controlled by the auxiliary pattern device forterminating said subcycle. of operation, means carried by said mainpattern device for determining the number of courses of said picotreverse Welt to be formed and for initiating a second subcycle ofoperation of the auxiliary pattern device, means controlled by theauxiliary pattern device during said second subcycle to form a ribstructure and to initiate the formation of a second reverse welt, meanscontrolled by the auxiliary pattern device for terminating said secondsubcycle of operation, means carried by said main pattern device fordetermining the number of courses of said second reverse welt to beformed and for initiating a third subcycle of operation of the auxiliarypattern device, means controlled by the auxiliary pattern device duringsaid third subcycle to initiate the formation of a rib structure, andmeans controlled by the auxiliary pattern device for terminating saidthird subcycle of operation.

9. In a knitting machine, a main pattern device, an auxiliary patterndevice having a cycle of operation comprising a plurality of subcyclesof operation, means carried by said main pattern device for initiatingone subcycle of operation of the auxiliary pattern device, meanscontrolled by the auxiliary pattern device during said subcycle to forma press-off draw thread structure and to initiate the formation of awelt, means controlled by the auxiliary pattern device for terminatingsaid subcycle of operation, means carried by said main pattern devicefor determining the number of courses of said welt to be formed and forinitiating a second subcycle of operation of the auxiliary patterndevice, means controlled by the auxiliary pattern device during saidsecond subcycle to form a rib structure and to initiate the formation ofa second welt, means controlled by the auxiliary pattern device forterminating said second subcycle of operation, means carried by saidmain pattern device for determining the number of courses of said secondwelt to be formed and for initiating a third subcycle of operation ofthe auxiliary pattern device, means controlled by the auxiliary patterndevice during said third subcycle to initiate the formation of a ribstructure, and means controlled by the auxiliary pattern device forterminating said third subcycle of operation.

10. In a knitting machine, a main pattern device, an auxiliary patterndevice having a cycle of operation comprising a plurality of subcyclesof operation, means carried by said main pattern device for initiatingone subcycle of operation of the auxiliary pattern device, meanscontrolled by the auxiliary pattern device during said subcycle to forma press-off draw thread structure and to initiate the formation of areverse welt, means controlled by the auxiliary pattern device forterminating said subcycle of operation, means carried by said mainpattern device for determining the number of courses of said reversewelt to be formed and for initiating a second subcycle of operation ofthe auxiliary pattern device, means controlled by the auxiliary patterndevice during said second subcycle to form a rib structure and toinitiate the formation of a second reverse Welt, means controlled by theauxiliary pattern device for terminating said second subcycle ofoperation, means carried by said main pattern device for determining thenumber of courses of said second reverse welt to be formed and forinitiating a third subcycle of operation of the auxiliary patterndevice, means controlled by the auxiliary pattern device during saidthird subcycle to initiate the formation of a rib structure, and meanscontrolled by the auxiliary pattern device for terminating said thirdsubcycle of operation.

ll. In a knitting machine, a main pattern device, an auxiliary patterndevice having a cycle of operation comprising a plurality of subcyclesof operation, means carried by said main pattern device for initiatingone subcycle of operation of the auxiliary pattern device, meanscontrolled by the auxiliary pattern device during said subcycle to forma press-oftr draw thread structure and to initiate the formation of apicot welt, means controlled by the auxiliary pattern device forterminating said subcycle of operation, means carried by said mainpattern device for determiningthe number of courses of said picot weltto be formed and for initiating a second subcycle of operation of theauxiliary pattern device, means controlled by the auxiliary patterndevice during said second subcycle to form a rib structure and toinitiate the formation of a second Welt, and means controlled by theauxiliary pattern device for terminating said second subcycle ofoperation.

l2. In a knitting machine, a main pattern device, an auxiliary patterndevice having a cycle of operation comprising a plurality of subcyclesof operation, means carried by said main pattern device for initiatingone subcycle of operation of the auxiliary pattern device, meanscontrolled by the auxiliary pattern device during said subcycle to forma press-off draw thread structure and to initiate the formation of apicot reverse Welt, means controlled by the auxiliary pattern device forterminating said subcycle of operation, means carried by said mainpattern device for determining the number of courses of said picotreverse welt to be formed and for initiating a second subcycle ofoperation of the auxiliary pattern device, means controlled by theauxiliary pattern device during said second subcycle to form a ribstructure and to initiate the formation of a second reverse welt, andmeans controlled by the auxiliary pattern device for terminating saidsecond subcycle of operation.

13, In a knitting machine, a main pattern device, an auxiliary patterndevice having a cycle of operation comprising a plurality of subcyclesof operation, means carried by said main pattern device for initiatingone subcycle of operation of the auxiliary pattern device, meanscontrolled by the auxiliary pattern device during said subcycle to forma press-ofi draw thread structure and to initiate the formation of aWelt, means controlled by the auxiliary pattern device for terminatingsaid subcycle of operation, means carried by said main pattern devicefor determining the number of courses of said welt to be formed and forinitiating a second subcycle of operation of the auxiliary patterndevice, means controlled by the auxiliary pattern device during saidsecond subcycle to form a rib structure and to initiate the formation ofa second welt, and means controlled by the auxiliary pattern device forterminating said second subcycle of operation.

14. In a knitting machine, a main pattern device, an auxiliary patterndevice having a cycle of operation comprising a plurality of subcyclesof operation, means carried by said main pattern device for initiatingone subcycle of operation of the auxiliary pattern device, meanscontrolled by the auxiliary pattern device during said subcycle to forma press-Dif draw thread structure and to initiate the formation of areverse Welt, means controlled by the auxiliary pattern device forterminating said subcycle of operation, means carried by said mainpattern device for determining the number of courses of said reversewelt to be formed and for initiating a second subcycle of operation ofthe auxiliary pattern device, means controlled by the auxiliary patterndevice during said second subcycle to form a rib structure and toinitiate the formation of a second reverse welt, and means controlled bythe auxiliary pattern device for terminating said second subcycle ofoperation.

15. In a knitting machine, a main pattern device, an auxiliary patterndevice having a cycle of operation comprising a plurality of subcyclesof operation, means controlled by said main pattern device forinitiating the formation of a regular welt, means carried by said mainpattern device for determining the number of courses of said regularwelt to be formed and for initiating one subcycle of operation of theauxiliary pattern device, means controlled by the auxiliary patterndevice during said subcycle to form a press-ott draw thread structureand to initiate the formation of a picot Welt, means controlled 17 bytheauxiliary pattern device for 'terminating saidsubcycle of operation,means carried by said mainpattern device for 'determining the number ofcourses of said picot welt to be formed and for initiating a secondsubcycle of operation of the auxiliary pattern device, means controlledby the auxiliary pattern device during said second subcycle to form arib structure and to initiate Athe formation of a third welt, meanscontrolled by the auxiliary pattern device for terminating said secondsubcycle of operation, means carried by said Amain pattern device fordetermining the number of courses of said third welt toVtbe formed andfor initiating a third subcycle of operationlof the auxiliary patterndevice, means 'controlled by the auxiliary pattern device during saidthird subcycle Lto initiate the formation of a rib structure, and meanscontrolled by the auxiliary pattern device for terminating said thirdsubcycle of operation.

16. In a knitting machine, a rmain pattern device, an auxiliary patterndevice having a cycle'of'operation comprising a plurality of subcyclesof operation, `means controlled by said main pattern device forinitiating the formation-of a regular welt, means carried by said mainpattern device for determining the number of courses 'of said regularwelt to be formed andfor initiating'one subcycle of operation of theauxiliary pattern device, means controlled by the auxiliary patterndevice during said subcycle to form a press-off draw thread structureand to initiate the formation of a picot reverse welt, means controlledby the auxiliary pattern device for terminating said subcycle ofoperation7 means carriedbysaid main pattern device for determining thenumber of courses of said picot reverse welt tobe formed and forinitiating a second subcycle of operation of the auxiliary patterndevice, means controlled by the auxiliary pattern `device duringsaid'second subcycle to-form a rib structure and to initiate theformation of a second reverse welt, means controlled by the auxiliarypatternk device for terminating said second subcycle of operation, meanscarried by said main pattern device for determining the number 'o'fcourses of said second reverse welt to be formed and for initiating athird subcycle of operation of the auxiliary pattern device, meanscontrolled by the auxiliary pattern device during said third subcycle toinitiatev the formationtof a rib structure, and means controlled by theauxiliar-y pattern device for terminating said third subcycle ofoperation.

'17. in a knitting machine, a main pattern device, fan auxiliary patterndevicehaving a cycle of operationcomprising a'plurality of subcycles ofoperation, means l.controlled by said main pattern device for initiatingthe formation of a regular welt, means carried by said main patterndevice for determining the'number of courses of said regular welt to beformed and for initiatingone subcycle of operation of the'auxiliarypattern device, means controlled by the auxiliarypatterndevice Vduring said subcycle to form a press-off draw .thread structureand to initiate the formation of a welt, means controlled by'theauxiliary pattern device for terminating said subcycle of operation,means carried by said main pattern device for determining the number ofcourses of said welt to be formed and for initiating a second subcycleof operation of the auxiliary pattern device, means controlled by theauxiliary pattern device during said second subcycle to form a ribstructure and to initiate the formation of a third welt, meanscontrolled by the auxiliary pattern device for terminating said secondsubcycle of operation, means carried by said main pattern device fordetermining the number of courses of said third welt to be formed andfor initiating a third subcycle of operation of the auxiliary patterndevice, means controlled by the auxiliary pattern device during saidthird subcycle to initiate the formation of a rib structure, and meanscontrolled by the auxiliary pattern device for terminating said thirdsubcycle of operation.

18. In a knitting machine, a main pattern device, an auxiliary patterndevice having a cycle of operation comprising a plurality of subcyclesof operation, means conarcane trolled by said main pattern device forinitiating the formation of a regular welt, means carried by said mainpattern device rfor determining the number of courses of said regularwelt to be formed and for initiating one subcycle of 'operationof theauxiliary pattern device, means controlled bythe `auxiliary patterndevice during said subcycle to form a press-off draw thread structureand to initiate vthe formation of a reverse welt, means controlled bythe auxiliary pattern device .for ,terminating said subcycle ofoperation, means carried by .said main pattern device for determiningthe number of courses of said reverse welt to be formed and forinitiating a second subcycle of operation of the auxiliary patterndevice, means controlled by the Vauxiliary pattern device during saidsecond subcycle to form a rib structure and to initiate the formation ofasecond reverse welt, means controlled bythe auxiliary pattern Adevicefor terminating said second-subcycle of operation, means carried by saidmain pattern device for determining :the number of courses -ofsai'dsecond reverse welt to be formed and for initiating athird'subcycle of operation of the auxiliary pattern device, meanscontrolled'by the auxiliary pattern device during said third subcycle toinitiate the formation of a rib structure, yand means controlled 'by theauxiliary pattern device forterminating said third subcycle ofoperation.

I9. In aknitting machine, a main pattern device, an auxiliary patterndevice having a cycle of operation comprising a plurality of subcyclesof operation, means controlled"by said main pattern device forinitiating the formation of a regular welt, means carried'by said mainpattern-device for determining the number of courses of said regularwelt to `be formed and for initiating one subcycle of operation of theauxiliary pattern device, means controlled bythe auxiliary patterndevice during said subcycleto form a press-off draw 'thread structureand to initiate the 1formation of a welt, means controlled by theauxiliary pattern device for terminating said subcycle `of operation,means carried 'by said main `pattern device lfor determining y'the'number of courses of `said welt to be formedandfor initiating a secondsubcycle of operation of fthe'auxiliary pattern device, "meanscontrolled bythe auxiliary pattern 'device `during said second subcycleto form fa rib structure a'nd -'to initiate the formation of a thirdwelt, .and means controlled by the auxiliary 'patternldeviceforterminatingsaid second subcycle of operation.

20. In a knitting machine, a main lpattern device, an auxiliary'patterndevice having acycle ofoperation comprising a plurality of subcycles ofoperation, meanscontrolled by 'said main pattern `device for initiatingthe formati'onof aregular welt, means carried by said main patternidevice for-determining the fnumber of courses of saidfre'gular welt tobe'formed and for initiating one subcyclelof operation ofthe auxiliarypatterndevice, means controlled 'by lthe auxiliary pattern device duringsaid subcycle 'to fform Ia press-off draw thread structure and toinitiate the formation of a reverse welt, means controlled by theauxiliary pattern device for terminating said subcycle of operation,means carried by said main pattern device for determining the number ofcourses of said reverse welt to be formed and for initiating a Secondsubcycle of operation of the auxiliary pattern device, means controlledby the auxiliary pattern device during said second subcycle to form arib structure and to initiate the formation of a second reverse welt,and means controlled by the auxiliary pattern device for terminatingsaid second subcycle of operation.

2l. The method of knitting a multiple stocking blank comprisingrepeating cycles of knitting, each cycle including knitting a multiplefeed leg and foot containing both forwardly and reversely concatenatedstitches, knitting a welt following completion of the foot, knitting apressotf draw thread structure following said welt, knitting after saidpress-off draw thread structure at least one welt, and then knitting amultiple feed top having both. forwardly and reversely concatenatedstitches. i

